The “NXT” Transformer Part
Update: Changed point 2 and dropped the conclussion
Lego offers the RCX transformer for the NXT. Before you buy it, it might be good to know that:
- You can only use the transformer with the rechargeable battery, since the NXT Brick itself does not have a socket for power. So you cannot use the transformer with a standard NXT Retail Set, unless you also buy the rechargeable battery.
- The rechargeable battery does NOT come with a transformer of its own.
posted by Filip @ Monday, July 03, 2006
6 Comments:
You can buy the transformer separately, or together as a package deal. The Lego site was recently updated to show either option.
Ah, perhaps it changed. When I called Lego's Education shop about a month ago, they said both the adapter and the battery together were sold for $50.
I updated the article.
"Preorder this item today, will ship by 01 Sep 2006"
They pushed (officailly now) the ship date for education stuff from early august to Sep, (a week ago the people at lego Ed said it would be late august likely.
Darn. But luckily if you like trains its the same transformer as on the Lego trains and RCX. I think there is a pass through ability - Plug in the Adapter to the battery in the NXT and get full and perminent wall power. This should work even after the Rechargable battery has reached the degredation point from the many recharge cycles we will put them through.
I just checked the Lego Train section - They dont sell the adpater seperately but a really cool combo for Legacy motors is the Speed Regulator for 9v Trains
Item#: 4548 which includes the adapter and will power the non RC trains (with track adapter), most lego motors, RCX 1.0, and the NXT battery (and thus NXT).
Any thoughts on what ratio is best - I dont know how many others are saving to buy lots of NXT's but I am trying to figure out how many battery packs and how many AC's. You would not always be using AC Teathers but rapid charging is nice. I'm hoping for 3 NXT's but I doubt I'll use them all more than 20% of the time. So do i use AA's for some of those? or do I get 4 rechargables incase they wear out or to keep the play going even if I use 1, 2, or 3 NXT's. Or be patient, get 1 and see how it performs and what my use patterns are. (Still want 3 NXT's to work on communication and co-operation experiments).
So much "booty", how best to spend my looty?
Hi Drew,
Great questions! I ordered 3 NXT sets (which are now in transit between Austin (Texas) and Belgium).
3 or 4 battery packs? 1 or 3 AC adapters?
Since I live in Belgium, I will not be able to order them from the US (240V vs. 110 V). I'll have to wait until October before they become available here.
And by that time, you'll be able to tell me what is best, right? :-)
Filip
i think you can use a psp recharger for the battery ^^.
The NXT transformer is plug compatible with transformer for the RCX v1.0. I connected mine to the NXT battery box, and the red charge light comes on.
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